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Orelee

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Orkney

Scotland

Orelee

Fields near Lime Banks
Fields near Lime Banks Credit: Jo and Steve Turner

Orelee is a picturesque coastal feature located in the Orkney Islands, off the northeastern coast of mainland Scotland. Situated on the western side of the island of Hoy, it is renowned for its stunning cliffs and breathtaking views of the North Atlantic Ocean. As a headland, Orelee juts out into the sea, creating a distinct point that is easily recognizable.

The rugged cliffs of Orelee reach heights of up to 400 feet, providing a dramatic backdrop to its surroundings. These cliffs are composed of Old Red Sandstone, showcasing layers of sedimentary rocks that have formed over millions of years. The exposed rock formations offer a glimpse into the geological history of the area and attract geology enthusiasts from around the world.

In addition to its geological significance, Orelee also boasts a rich biodiversity. The headland is home to a variety of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. Visitors can often spot these birds nesting on the cliffs or diving into the sea in search of food. The surrounding waters are also frequented by seals and occasional sightings of whales and dolphins.

Access to Orelee is possible via a well-maintained footpath that winds along the cliff edge, offering stunning views of the surrounding coastline. The headland is a popular destination for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers, who are drawn to its natural beauty and tranquility. As a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Orelee is protected to preserve its unique ecological and geological features for future generations to enjoy.

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Orelee Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.817585/-2.8797042 or Grid Reference ND4992. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Fields near Lime Banks
Fields near Lime Banks
The B9044 heading for South Cara
The B9044 heading for South Cara
Minor road at South Cara Near the easternmost point of South Ronaldsay.
Minor road at South Cara
Near the easternmost point of South Ronaldsay.
Curlew on farmland at Grimness Looking towards Brecks farmhouse in the distance
Curlew on farmland at Grimness
Looking towards Brecks farmhouse in the distance
Honeysgeo Farmstead of Honeysgeo and little bay east coast of South Ronaldsay, Orkney.
Honeysgeo
Farmstead of Honeysgeo and little bay east coast of South Ronaldsay, Orkney.
Sea Pink Armeria Maritima, also known as Sea Pink or Thrift on the foreshore at the headland of Grim Ness, South Ronaldsay, Orkney
Sea Pink
Armeria Maritima, also known as Sea Pink or Thrift on the foreshore at the headland of Grim Ness, South Ronaldsay, Orkney
Shags, Grim Ness I was reliably informed that these were Shags rather than Cormorants, though they are very hard to tell apart. There were hundreds of them on the rocks and headland of Grim Ness, South Ronaldsay, Orkney.
Shags, Grim Ness
I was reliably informed that these were Shags rather than Cormorants, though they are very hard to tell apart. There were hundreds of them on the rocks and headland of Grim Ness, South Ronaldsay, Orkney.
The Keys The long rock sticking out into the sea is called The Keys and has hundreds of Shags on it as do most of the rocks offshore here. The photograph is taken from Grey Chair and there is Thrift and yellow lichen in the foreground.
The Keys
The long rock sticking out into the sea is called The Keys and has hundreds of Shags on it as do most of the rocks offshore here. The photograph is taken from Grey Chair and there is Thrift and yellow lichen in the foreground.
Head Bay Not actually called anything on any maps, this little bay is near a dwelling called Head. Also in the picture is Skipi Geo, just to the left of the bay. On South Ronaldsay, Orkney.
Head Bay
Not actually called anything on any maps, this little bay is near a dwelling called Head. Also in the picture is Skipi Geo, just to the left of the bay. On South Ronaldsay, Orkney.
Fulmarus glacialis A couple of Fulmars taking off from the Stack of Kame. The Stack of Kame isn't a proper stack but a narrow - as in a couple of feet wide at the top - headland sticking out into the sea. I was lucky enough to be above them without them realising and snapped them just as they sensed my presence a few feet above.
Fulmarus glacialis
A couple of Fulmars taking off from the Stack of Kame. The Stack of Kame isn't a proper stack but a narrow - as in a couple of feet wide at the top - headland sticking out into the sea. I was lucky enough to be above them without them realising and snapped them just as they sensed my presence a few feet above.
South of Croo Stone. Burray village can be seen beyond the causeway.
South of Croo Stone.
Burray village can be seen beyond the causeway.
Rounding Grim Ness on the northward journey.
Rounding Grim Ness on the northward journey.
Lime Banks to the west of Grim Ness.
Lime Banks to the west of Grim Ness.
Limbo, near Honeygeo
Limbo, near Honeygeo
Grimness, St. Margaret's Hope Taken from behind the Orkney Marine Life Aquarium looking across fields at St. Margaret's Hope. The sea forms a band between land and sky.
Grimness, St. Margaret's Hope
Taken from behind the Orkney Marine Life Aquarium looking across fields at St. Margaret's Hope. The sea forms a band between land and sky.
The Irene Part of the Engine Block from Irene. She was the 'subject' of the gallant rescue attempt by the Longhope Lifeboat Crew, who lost their lives in 1969. See here <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://news.stv.tv/scotland/82797-orkney-remembers-longhope-disaster/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://news.stv.tv/scotland/82797-orkney-remembers-longhope-disaster/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> More here <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://theramblinggardener.com/2014/11/28/the-longhope-lifeboat-disaster/comment-page-1/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://theramblinggardener.com/2014/11/28/the-longhope-lifeboat-disaster/comment-page-1/">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> and this <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1066362">ND3389 : Longhope Lifeboat Memorial</a>
The Irene
Part of the Engine Block from Irene. She was the 'subject' of the gallant rescue attempt by the Longhope Lifeboat Crew, who lost their lives in 1969. See here LinkExternal link More here LinkExternal link and this ND3389 : Longhope Lifeboat Memorial
Honeysgeo This inlet an beach are on the north side of Grim Ness.
Honeysgeo
This inlet an beach are on the north side of Grim Ness.
Beach near Honeysgeo Honeysgeo is the farm at extreme right in this view. Grim Ness is at the far side of the bay.
Beach near Honeysgeo
Honeysgeo is the farm at extreme right in this view. Grim Ness is at the far side of the bay.
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Orelee is located at Grid Ref: ND4992 (Lat: 58.817585, Lng: -2.8797042)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///gravy.stroke.remarking. Near St Margaret's Hope, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Orelee Grim Ness Broddebb Towie Hole Sheep Bight Out Hillock

Related Wikis

Grim Ness
Grim Ness

Grimness is a cliff-girt headland on the island of South Ronaldsay, in the Orkney archipelago of Scotland. It is located between Honeysgeo and Skipi Geo...

St Margaret's Hope
St Margaret's Hope

St Margaret's Hope is a village in the Orkney Islands, off the north coast of Scotland. It is known locally as The Hope or The Hup. With a population...

Burray
Burray

Burray () is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. It lies to the east of Scapa Flow and is one of a chain of islands linked by the Churchill Barriers...

South Ronaldsay
South Ronaldsay

South Ronaldsay (, also , Scots: Sooth Ronalshee) is one of the Orkney Islands off the north coast of Scotland. It is linked to the Orkney Mainland by...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 58.817585,-2.8797042
Grim Ness
Place: locality
Source: OS7
Wikidata: Q12715146
Wikipedia: en:Grim Ness
Lat/Long: 58.8187117/-2.8797017
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Burnmouth Geo Orkney
Weland Orkney

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